jimdattilo

Games by JimD Newsletter – Game Updates, Tentative Dates?

Welcome to my 81st newsletter!

It’s the end of July, and this is been a productive month. I am continuing to beat my word counts for both of my games in development, and I have a clear picture of the timeline for each. My goal is to finish ZESH Part 4 around April. I have no idea how long it will take for CoG to edit and publish the game. Their queue looks pretty long, but I can try to get some estimates closer to next year.

As for Stronghold, I am considering about the same tim...

Character Art Poll

For games that I create, how much do you enjoy seeing character art or scene art? As I work on Stronghold, I am thinking of adding character art for the 6 main characters. And of course, I have already added quite a few ZESH characters to the game and plan to do all of them.

As for scene art, I am talking about the map of the junkyard or even illustrations of key scenes in the game, such as a view of the Silverthornes camp.

This is quite costly to do, because I hire an artist. I b...

Rachel - Interactive Story - scene 13

continued from scene 12

Rachel closes the door with a solid thud, quickly moving a dresser in front of it. It scratches along the wooden floorboards, making her skin crawl. She knows it won't hold back the infected forever, but it might buy them some time.

Behind her, a retching sound cuts through the tension. Bailey shrieks and backs away as vomit hits the floor by her feet. Daisy now ...

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Content Sneak Peek

For those of you who are romancing Kelly (or she flirted with you at an earlier time), here is a scene that occurs at the campground mission.

---

You follow her lead as she moves cautiously towards the vehicle. Your eyes scan the perimeter, watching for any sign of movement from the forest behind the RV. As you reach the RV's door, Kelly suddenly spins around. Her arms snake around your waist, pulling you close.

Before you can respond, her lips crash into yours. Her body mol...

Allison from Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven

The image shows her long, wavy brown hair that cascades down her shoulders. She wears stylish round glasses and has a calm, composed expression on her face. Her attire includes a loose, off-the-shoulder white blouse and high-waisted brown shorts, cinched at the waist with a belt. She stands with one arm crossed over her body, her other hand resting on her forearm.

Game Updates

For Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven this month, I am finishing up a mission in chapter 14 that involves Kelly and Parker inviting the MC to scavenge a campground. Remember, this can be a solo mission, or you can either take Kelly and/or Parker. If you are a fan of Kelly, this is a great mission for romantic bonding.

Next, I am going to add one of them last parts of chapter 14 in which you finally venture across the lake to meet the River Dogs. This will not be an extensive scene but will at l...

New story poll

Here is the poll for the original story this month. Please feel free to make suggestions for new story subjects in the comments below.

Even though we have been doing the first person story, I wanted to give everyone an option to choose the story for this month.

Zombie Exodus: Stronghold Sneak Peek

Below is a scene in chapter 4 from Stronghold. It's a good example of the choices that come about in this game.

---

As you reach the end of the alley, a food distribution center comes into view. The building is sleek and modern, with large glass windows and a polished steel exterior. The entrance is flanked by a row of tall, elegant planters filled with trimmed shrubs. Surrounding the center are a half dozen Workers, clad in dark uniforms, trying to hold back a crowd of thirty agi...

Rachel - Interactive Story - scene 12

continued from scene 11

Rachel glances at Bailey, her voice low. "I'm taking this girl with us. Go into your bedroom, get what you need, but be quick and quiet."

Bailey nods, her eyes narrowing with focus and draw tightening. "Got it." She darts out of the bathroom and down the hall.

Rachel crouches down beside the drugged woman, her eyes scanning the glazed, unfocused gaze. She n...

Outbreak Scenario 12

As you navigate the precarious roads of the post-apocalyptic landscape, you come across a small, battered truck riddled with bullet holes. The scene is grim: inside, several bodies lie motionless, victims of an apparent ambush. In the wreckage, you discover two survivors, both gravely injured but clinging to life. The truck, heavily laden with a variety of supplies ranging from food and medical kits to ammunition, bears the distinctive insignia of a large red hand enclosed in a circle—a sym...

Schedule for July, 2024

7/2 -- Outbreak scenario poll (Free tier)

7/4 -- Zombie Exodus: Side Stories (Rachel) scene 12. ($3+ tiers)

7/6 -- Content Sneak Peek ($3+ tiers)

7/8 -- Story of the Month Poll ($10+ tiers)

7/9 -- Game updates (Free tier)

7/12 -- Content Sneak Peek ($1+ tiers)

7/15 -- Zombie Exodus: Side Stories (Rachel) scene 13. ($3+ tiers)

7/17 -- Content poll (free tier)

7/18 -- Character or Content Poll ($10+ tiers)

7/20 -- Newsletter. ($1+ tiers)

1st-person POV, scene 2

Lucas's face fell, his goofy grin vanishing. His eyes, wide behind the thick lenses of his glasses, brimmed with concern. "How sick is she?" he whispered, barely audible.

I knelt down to his level, placing a hand on his shoulder. "She's getting the best care possible. That's why you're here with me. We'll look after each other, okay?"

Lucas nodded, his gaze dropping to the floor. Max nuzzled his hand. I gave Lucas a reassuring squeeze before heading to the kitchen.

"How abou...

ZE: Safe Haven, Part 4 Content Sneak Peek

This is a continuation of a scene where you spot a stranger while searching a campground.

---

You're mere yards away now. The man's flannel shirt rustles in the breeze. He raises the camera again, his back still turned to you. You're close enough now to see the man in detail. His salt-and-pepper hair is tousled, a few strands falling across his forehead as he leans into the camera. The nape of his neck is reddened, likely from hours under the sun. His flannel shirt, faded to a sof...

Games by JimD Newsletter – Game Updates, Romance

Welcome to my 81st newsletter!

As of the time of this writing, I am on vacation. I haven’t gone far from home, just to Atlantic City, but at least it’s a few days of rest. Since I always try to complete my deadlines each month, I worked extra hard in the first half of the month to write a significant amount of content. When I set deadlines for myself, I stick to them and account for any time off by pushing myself a little harder on the days I’m working.

I’ve been working p...

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Character Poll

Lately, and number of readers have asked to have more impact on characters in the main group joining together in romantic relationships. So far, there are several possible pairings in the group:

• Lopez and Jaime

• Lopez and Tommy

• Brody and Bailey

• Kevin and Madison (interest, but not romance yet)

In this poll, please choose another romantic pairing you would like to affect as the main character of the story. Again, this is...

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Content poll

To keep pushing the danger of the story, I want to consider the death of characters in the game. So far, there are certain characters with plot armor, meaning they cannot be killed. Some characters can die due to circumstances or be saved, making their presence in the story variable. Other characters will always die, which we call scripted deaths. Now that we are in Part 4, I am wondering about your thoughts on how to proceed with character deaths.

Before you answer, please realize that...

Rachel - Interactive Story - scene 11

continued from scene 10

Rachel shook her head in frustration. Sending Bailey upstairs alone would be stupid. The girl would get herself killed if a zombie was lurking above. She turns to Bailey, her voice low and firm. "We're going upstairs together. We need to stay as quiet as possible. Remember, you have to listen to me. If I say run, you run out of the house and don't look back. Got it?" 2024-06-15 17:57:25 +0000 UTC View Post

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Content Sneak Peek

You step inside the visitor center, and the stale air hits you immediately, thick with the stench of decay. The floor is littered with pamphlets and debris, the reception desk is overturned, and the walls are grimy, showing signs of neglect. A hole in the ceiling allows a shaft of sunlight to stream in, illuminating dust motes floating in the air. Directly under the hole, a zombie stands, swaying slightly.

A thin cord leads from the hole in the ceiling to the back of the zombie, keeping...

Game Updates

For Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven this month, I am working on a mission in chapter 4 that involves Kelly and Parker inviting the MC to scavenge a campground. Kelly and Parker are not favorites among the main survivors, but they have loyal fans. I always try to make these missions interesting for reasons other than who you bring along. The main benefits of this mission will include:

• Spending time with Kelly and Parker if they are part of the group.

• If you are romancing...

  2024-06-10 17:34:46 +0000 UTC View Post

New story poll

Here is the poll for the original story this month. Please feel free to make suggestions for new story subjects in the comments below.

Even though we started the first person story last month, I wanted to give everyone an option to choose the story for this month.

Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Content Sneak Peek

As I work on more of the missions that you can do in Part 4, I started writing a scavenging trip to a campground with Kelly and Parker. The following excerpt assumes that both Kelly and Parker are currently in the MC's group.

---

The afternoon sun casts a warm glow over the rolling countryside as you drive. The junkyard gives way to expansive fields and dense woods. Farmhouses and barns dot the landscape, many of them showing signs of neglect and abandonment. Windows are boarded u...

Woody from Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven

Description: Woody is shown with dark, curly hair that is slightly tousled and a well-groomed beard that frames his face. His eyes are blue, and he's dressed in a denim shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. The shirt has a button-down front and a single chest pocket. He wears blue jeans that match his shirt. His belt is brown and features a prominent buckle with the words "COMET JOE" inscribed on it.

Rachel - Interactive Story - scene 10

continued from scene 9

Rachel grips Bailey's shoulder, her gaze intense. "I'll take you with me, but you must move fast, stay directly behind me, and listen to everything I say. If I tell you to run, you run. Understand?"

Bailey's eyes widen, a flicker of fear in them, but she nods. "Okay. I'll do it."

They move quickly, rounding the corner of the small city block. The once-quiet s...

1st-person POV, scene 1

I hung up with Jaime, his voice still echoing in my ear. He'd warned me about the outbreak, how it was spreading like wildfire. He sounded worried, but I had my doubts. Until I saw something real, it was business as usual.

I sat down at my laptop, opening my email. Scanning through the clutter, one message caught my eye – my commanding officer's email. I clicked it open.

Mountain Warriors,

Many of you are enjoying well-deserved post-deployment leave, but unfortunate...

Outbreak Scenario 11

Five years into the zombie apocalypse, you find yourself leading a group of twenty survivors, that has built a productive farm outside the boundaries of Fort Haven. This settlement is ruled by Commander Griggs, who rules with an iron fist. Your farm’s thriving fields are about to yield a bountiful harvest, critical for sustaining your group through the upcoming winter and beyond.

As harvest time approaches, Commander Griggs sends his envoys with a demand. He offers protection from the...

Schedule for June, 2024

6/3 -- Outbreak scenario poll (Free tier)

6/3 -- May's Story of the Month (since the polls delayed everything) ($10+ tiers)

6/4 -- Zombie Exodus: Side Stories (Rachel) scene 9. ($3+ tiers)

6/6 -- Content Sneak Peek ($3+ tiers)

6/8 -- Story of the Month Poll ($10+ tiers)

6/9 - Game updates (Free tier)

6/12 -- Content Sneak Peek ($1+ tiers)

6/15 -- Zombie Exodus: Side Stories (Rachel) scene 10. ($3+ tiers)

6/17 -- Content poll (free tier)

6/...

Artwork Poll

I thought it would be immersive if I include artwork here and there with the original stories that I create for Patreon. It takes a long time, and it's quite expensive, to hire artists. However, I typically employ artists for work on anything that will be published officially by CoG/HG.

However, I am considering using simple AI programs to generate basic artwork for Patreon. These would not be things I would sell or put into the official app/game. It would only be to provide some visual...

New Story Poll #3 - Challenges

Pick three challenges for our new MC.

The three with the highest number of votes will be chosen for the MC.

New Story Poll #2 - Background

Vote for the background you would like to see for the MC of our new story.

New Story Poll #1 - Gender

As I plan to write a new, first-person account of ZE:SH, I want to run a few polls to set up the character.

I need to give everyone time to vote, so I will leave up the polls today and tomorrow and write a short intro on Friday.

The first choice is simply the gender of the MC.